With flood incidents increasing, the charity’s new report, published today, shows that some insurers are refusing to cover people in flood-risk areas, making it harder for vulnerable Scots to protect themselves. This despite government efforts to make it easier through the Flood Re scheme.

CAS surveyed 178 Scottish households, two-thirds of which are in areas officially defined as ‘high flood risk’.

CAS consumer spokesman Fraser Sutherland said: “Unless it has happened to you, you really can’t know what a nightmare it is to have your home flooded. The responses to our survey from those who have been affected are heart-breaking as they describe the utter devastation that such events bring.

“Over the last few years many of those hit by floods have come to their local CAB for help. So we already had a bank of evidence showing the sort of practical issues that people face in the aftermath of a flood, and this evidence showed that getting insurance was a serious problem. So we have now added to that evidence with this new survey, which has revealed a disappointing picture.

“The UK government worked with insurers to launch a new scheme – Flood Re – earlier this year, which aims to help people get affordable cover for floods. However, our research shows that many Scots are struggling to get their home insured after being flooded, due to high premiums, a lack of transparency, and insurance companies who are either not signed up to the Flood Re scheme, or don’t make this available to their customers.

“This is simply not good enough. With autumn and winter on the way, who knows which town or village will be this year’s flooded area?

“In publishing this report, we are calling on all Scots to ensure that their home and contents insurance policies cover them for flood damage. We are also calling on both governments and all 32 Councils to co-ordinate strategies to prevent floods, and to help people recover when they do happen. And we are urging the insurance companies to raise their game and support consumers in flood-risk areas to ensure they have adequate cover.”

Responding to the report, Flood Re said those living in flood risk areas in Scotland should be reassured that they do not face the “nightmare” of living without flood insurance

Brendan McCafferty, CEO of Flood Re, told Scottish Housing News: “We are disappointed that a CAS report has given householders in Scotland a message based on historic data. Since the launch of Flood Re we now have strong evidence that Scots can get better access to affordable flood insurance protection for their homes.

“Since Flood Re’s launch any one who has been flooded before or excluded from the market entirely can now get a number of quotes for more affordable insurance cover with a low excess.

“Scots should not fear being left without flood insurance cover in their homes this winter. What CAS should be saying is what we have been saying all along – check your policy and shop around for the best deal you can get. Pay attention to both the quoted premium and the excess charged on any quotes you get. Over 90 percent of the insurance market is now offering Flood Re backed policies. Scots should shop for cover which is demonstrably available not fear being left without insurance.

“More affordable flood insurance cover is available to the people of Scotland since Flood Re launched in April. I urge CAS to join with me in getting that message – to shop around – out to as many people as possible rather than peddling old data and arguments that bear no relation to the insurance market that now exists since we went live.”